Dojji

Huge to get out of that. I'll take 5 IP, 2 ER

Too soon to be leaping to judgement IMHO. Let's revisit this thread at the end of the month.

I have no idea why you posted that rant. It sounds like you're trying to say Swihart is a bad catcher without having to defend your position by actually saying those words.

The hell do you mean? You do realize that Vazquez was on a rehab assignment. the plan was always to bring up Vazquez, the question is simply a matter of whether Swihart or Hanigan gives way.

Should be noted that Shaw has really slowed down offensively the last couple games.

Can we focus just a little attention on Wright's strong performance in the loss last night? We're not going to solve the porcello question right here and now and it would be nice if people paid at least some attention to positive developments too. Wright is right up my alley as a nontraditional prospect. As a knuckleballer, he's exactly the sort of guy who's always going to be at least somewhat underestimated by prospect watchers who struggle to find the virtue in older prospects that come to the league from odd directions, and sometimes those guys come out of nowhere to make a place for themselves in the league. Wright can pitch. Over his career in 11 starts as a starter he's got a 4.01 ERA with a WHIP of 1.23 and a k/bb ratio of over 2, which actually marks him as, not an ace, but a potential mid rotation guy if he can establish himself for a season at roughly that level. Steven Wright, if he holds to form, is not anyone's #5, and I'm delighted that he's getting a real chance to prove that this year. I think he's on track to be one of the pleasant surprises this season. Last night's start against a pretty powerful lineup was a good sign in that direction, especially the part where he pitched into the 7th inning with good peripherals. It could all turn to dust of course, but combined with what he accomplished in short stints in the prior 2 years and his great Spring, I'm really encouraged about this guy. We could have found the heir to Tim Wakefield, and that would be a decidedly good thing for this rotation right now.

Wright was the bright spot. I'm surprised everyone's wibbling about Porcello after that kind of start from an unconventional prospect. As a knuckleballer Wright is not a traditional prospect so his ratings by the experts are in no way etched in stone, it's by no means out of the question for his stock to rise significantly if he has a good year this year. So far at the big league level Wright has always been adequate or better, some people are a little too locked into their thinking about where he sits in the rankings. The guy legitimately could come up big for us as a major surprise with a bit of luck.

Against a good lineup? yes, and they make up for it against weak offenses to average in the 4's

Well how do you define "what we expect?" What is the role if a middle of the rotation starter? It's to keep the team in the game and give the team a chance to win. From that standpoint, mission accomplished. If you expect a #3 starter to pitch like an ace day in day out you're begging for disappointment. Forget the contract. Porcello is a mid rotation starter. That's what he's been for most of his career, that is what he is now, and that is exactly what he pitched like in Toronto. Mission accomplished.

There is no "yeah this is toronto but." He got through one of the league's best offense on paper while giving up 4 runs in 6 innings. He made some mistakes but got a lot of good hitters out and kept the game within reach. That. Is. Not. Bad. You people are going out of your way to find excuses to panic. Stop.

Wright was impressive tonight, it should be said. he had a good spring and looked alright last year. if he keeps that kind of performance he might climb up the rotational depth chart this year.

Nice outing by Wright.

Exactly, that is the problem. Porcello's outing isn't.

sounds like a deal to me.

You're not going to get Holt in every single game this year. The longer he played last year the less effective his bat got, and remember that Holt is still a critical part of our infield depth too Young was always going to get a few starts against RHP unless they got brave and decided to *actually* use Castillo for something other than decoration.

Could really use some innings from Wright tonight. Let's not start overtaxing the pen this eariy in the season.

He is not "fine" now. but he did the #1 job we needed him to do -- eat 6 innings and keep the game sufficiently under control that the offense and the bullpen, if they did their jobs, could win. He needed to push at least through and give up no more than 4 runs and that's exactly what he did. It was not a good performance but it was (barely) adequate. And that should be noted by all the hand-wringers who can't look past his contract and can't content themselves with anything but an ace type performance from a guy whose #1 job is always going to be, eat innings and keep the team in the game.

Every pitcher makes bad pitches in any game. Sometimes the hitters punish him sometime they don't. That was a very good lineup he righted the ship against, I'm inclined to give Porcello the benefit of the doubt somewhat. It's going to be really important for Stephen Wright to get through at least 5 innings today. Farrell has done a decent job balancing the workload but the bullpen has taken a lot of innings for such a young season.

No, Porcello got beat twice by one of the best hitters in the league and got through 6. there will be worse outings by a Red Sox pitcher this year even if some of those look better on the box score. Good on Porcello for settling down and letting only Jose Bautista beat him. if our bullpen and offense are strong this year we can deal with the kind of performance Porcello just gave us, and of course I'd expect him to be more effective against weak lineups much like other #3 starters

That belt buckle, if Sandoval is not careful, will become the enduring image of his role on the team this year.

not really.

Part of me wishes the rotation had lined up so it could have been Wright v Dickey. Would have loved some knuckleballer on knuckleballer action. stupid weather....

Two more words: Gil Meche That said, a little once-in-a-century history may have been worth pushing the rookie for.

Aaaaand Dodgers relief pitchers immediately cough up the game giving Stripling the odd line of 7 1/3 innings pitched, 1 run on no hits.

Pulled from the game by the manager with 5 outs to go and still zero hits. Gotta feel for the kid. It was the right play by the manager in a close game and the kid was getting wild but still, that has to suck.